All or Nothing

“Please test your servants for 10 days:  give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.  Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”  Daniel 1:12-13
 
An absolutist is a person who decides to completely turn their backs on old habits and stick firmly with that decision.  No looking back.  They prefer things to be either 100% one way or 100% the other.  Nothing in between.  Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys were examples of absolutists.  Daniel and his friends did not accept any of the food allotted to them by the king during their captivity.  Instead, they deliberately requested a diet which consisted of only vegetables and water.
 
There are two types of absolutists, circumstantial absolutists and natural absolutists. 
 
1.  Circumstantial Absolutists
 
Circumstantial absolutists are not absolutists by choice.  On the contrary, circumstances dictate that they must be absolutists.  For example, a person who has had gastric bypass surgery is unable to eat the same portion sizes as before since his or her stomach has been reduced to the size of an egg.  Similarly, a person diagnosed with diabetes must make dietary changes and/or take insulin injections in order to survive.
 
Although they were used to being on a permanent fast because of the food restrictions God commanded Israel to follow, Daniel & the Hebrew Boys, could not eat in accordance to God’s commands during their captivity (at least not while they were in training).  Circumstances demanded that they obey God’s commandment in a way that was simple, that would not draw too much attention to themselves, and that would not endanger them or those showing them favor.  Consequently, they did the best thing they could under the circumstances.  They ate only vegetables and only drank water.
 
2.  Natural Absolutists
 
Natural absolutists, on the other hand, are absolutists by choice.  It’s the person’s natural inclination to want all of it or none of it.  For example, some people quit abusing drugs and/or alcohol “cold turkey” without ever using the substance again once they’ve made up their minds to change their behavior.  It’s the same for some people with food.  They give up chocolate or sodas, starches and carbohydrates, or fried food and fats forever.  No turning back.
                             
Each person who has ever been entangled with the sins of gluttony and making an idol of his stomach should figure out whether or not he is an absolutist.  Doing so is very important for several reasons.  First, knowing whether or not you’re an absolutist is paramount to determining recidivism.  Recidivism refers to the likelihood that you will commit the same act again.  If you’re not an absolutist, the chances of recidivism are much higher because you lack control over yourself when it comes to food.  Consequently, the first time you eat something that is not on your diet plan is most likely the beginning of your slide back into your old habits. 
 
Just as important is determining whether you’re an absolutist simply because you’re wired that way or because your circumstances require it.  An illustration may best demonstrate this.  For instance, a recovering drug addict would fall into the category of a circumstantial absolutist because if he were to use illegal drugs again, he would have a very difficult time stopping and becoming sober.  If food is like that for you, you should be aware of and acknowledge this weakness to yourself and the Father sooner rather than later. 
 
Likewise, those who tend to binge for hours or days at a time followed by bouts of vomiting or those who starve themselves especially need to take the time to make this difficult self-assessment.  If even one small deviation from your diet results in your complete inability to start over again, you, too, may be an absolutist due to circumstances instead of by choice.  For many people, this may be difficult to accept, but eventually, you will have to come to terms with your weakness in order to maintain stability and leave the diet roller coaster.  Denying it only fuels the cycle, and you’ll continue to go around in circles until you are truly ready to stop.
 
If you find it difficult to make an honest self-assessment, then you should try seeking the advice of an unbiased third party who knows you very well, supports your efforts to lose weight, agrees to assist you in this important matter, and will lovingly tell you the truth as they have observed it over years of watching, listening to, and knowing you.  An unbiased third party is neither a person that participates in committing the sins of gluttony and idolatry with you nor a person who pushes your craving buttons when it comes to food, regularly upsetting you when discussing your weight.  On the contrary, it is someone you trust and probably do or would confide in.
 
Remaining ignorant as to whether or not you are an absolutist has consequences.  The Israelites best demonstrated this after being set free from bondage in Egypt.  Shortly after God released them from slavery, they wanted to go back to Egypt every time things got difficult (Exodus 12:29-31).  Their physical bondage represents our spiritual bondage.  Therefore, it’s the same for us today in terms of our sin.  Even though we’ve been delivered from the power of sin, we still find ourselves tempted to return to our old sinful habits because it’s much simpler and easier than persevering, and, in many cases, because we like it.  Your sinful relationship with food is no exception.  Any excuse will do to give up a half-hearted try and revert to your old ways.